The pilot's handbook of aeronautical knowledge introduces pilots to the broad spectrum of aeronautical knowledge that will be needed as they progress in their pilot training.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Flaperons

Flaperons combine both aspects of flaps and ailerons. In addition to controlling the bank angle of an aircraft like conventional ailerons, flaperons can be lowered together to function much the same as a dedicated set of flaps. The pilot retains separate controls for ailerons and flaps. A mixer is used to combine the separate pilot inputs into this single set of control surfaces called flaperons. Many designs that incorporate flaperons mount the control surfaces away from the wing to provide undisturbed airflow at high angles of attack and/or low airspeeds. [Figure 5-9]